exhaust manifold broken studs prevention

[mes882]

I have an 07 mountaineer 4.6l. Do you think adding braided flexible exhaust pipe on it about 5 inches below the exhaust manifold on each side. Would get rid of the cracked exhaust manifold problem/ stud braking problem. What do you guys think??? I added a pic to give you an idea of what I am talking about.

 

[Explorer_PL]

That would be great solution but I am not sure if cracking is caused by the whole system being "rigid", or just that the manifolds go thru thousands of hot/cold cycles and are made of very thin cast. Headers would probably work, but nobody makes them for Explorers.

Still. it is worth a try in my opinion.

 

[mes882]

Yeah I searched for headers too. Do any of the mustang shorty headers work?? I also wonder if they break due to a lack of a splash guard. They just rust and break. If they break due to the system being rigid and no flex I would be all over this at the local exhaust shop. I don't want to waist my money if that's not the reason.

Does any one have an explanation on why they break???